Intro to Emacs

Transcript

1. Intro to Emacs by Brian Auton
2. Should you use it? • Maybe. • Some acclimation required • Does it feel faster? • Does it feel more transparent?
3. Should you try it? • Definitely! • Unique solution, solid and extensible • Learn a new language, if you want (Emacs Lisp) • Part of computing history
 Lisp Machine era, 1976
 Stallman / first GNU application
4. Graphical vs Text Mode • Graphical: native app • Text: runs in terminal
 I prefer it (easy access to shell with Ctrl-Z)
5. Installation Steps • OSX: brew install emacs —cocoa —srgb • Linux:
 apt-get install emacs
 apt-get install emacs-nox • Windows: https://ftp.gnu.org/gnu/emacs/windows/
6. Editing with Emacs • EMACS = “Editor MACroS” • Does the basics well • Non-modal UI • Learn the few essential commands
 Don’t be overwhelmed by long cheat sheets
7. Keys I use • Arrow keys, C-a, C-e, C-v, M-v, C-<, C-> • Search: C-s, M-% • Undo: C-/ • Files: C-x C-f, C-x C-s • Buffers: C-x left, C-x right, C-x b • Kill and Yank: C-k, C-y • Other: Tab, C-g, C-z, M-x • Quit: C-x C-c
8. Meta? Late 70s Lisp Machine keyboard
9. Meta? Emacs still uses Meta (usually mapped to Alt)
10. Keys I use • Arrow keys, C-a, C-e, C-v, M-v, C-<, C-> • Search: C-s, M-% • Undo: C-/ • Files: C-x C-f, C-x C-s • Buffers: C-x left, C-x right, C-x b • Kill and Yank: C-k, C-y • Other: Tab, C-g, C-z, M-x • Quit: C-x C-c
11. Customization • Config file: .emacs or .emacs.d/init.el • Elisp: Emacs Lisp • Browse sample config files online for inspiration
12. Packages • Repositories: ELPA (built-in), MELPA (requires extra config) • M-x package-list-packages
 M-x package-install • Some essential packages:
 color-theme
 haml-mode
 flycheck • Others:
 robe
 org-mode
13. Final Thoughts Solution -> Community -> Lasting Impact
14. My Emacs configuration: https://github.com/brianauton/dotemacs Brian Auton